April 202016

Search Begins For Innovative Businesses To Act As “Host” Companies

NewCo, a revolutionary concept that creates a platform to learn, connect, and celebrate the world's most intriguing businesses and organizations, is holding its first Canadian NewCo Festival this Fall in Toronto.

NewCo represents a radical departure from the traditional conference format. Rather than learning in a conventional, theatre­ style setting, festival attendees visit companies of their choice throughout an urban setting. Attendees learn about the companies first­hand from leaders and CEOs, right inside the offices where they work.

The brainchild of Wired magazine co­founder and media and tech entrepreneur John Battelle, NewCo launched in 2012 in San Francisco and is now operating in over 15 diverse cities around the world including Istanbul, San Francisco, Amsterdam, Mexico City and Barcelona. The events have attracted over 25,000 curious and influential festival­goers and well over 1,000 companies have participated across North America, Europe, and Latin America.

“With its reputation for innovation and forward­thinking, Canada became the logical choice for our next NewCo Festival, particularly in Toronto where there is such a diverse cultural mosaic and a flourishing business start­up community,” says Battelle.

The one­day Toronto NewCo Festival is scheduled for September 15.

The September event is being produced by Canadian ad agency Cossette, NewCo’s Affiliate Partner and Producer in Canada. Cossette is a national marketing communications agency and among the largest in Canada. The City of Toronto has also joined the initiative as an official Festival Partner Sponsor.

“We felt instantly drawn to the innovative format of the festival, which combines the learning of a business conference, the atmosphere of a music festival and the informality of a company open house,” says Brett Marchand, President and CEO of Cossette and its parent company Vision7 International.

“We also very much believe in the philosophy behind the NewCo concept, as envisioned by its founder John Battelle – which is to provide a platform for innovative and entrepreneurial companies that are on a mission to bring about positive change in their communities.

“We are thrilled to be able to provide such companies in Toronto with the opportunity to tell their stories and also to connect them with others who will benefit by learning from their experience – and maybe even helping to propel them further,” adds Marchand.

NewCos are seen as organizations that are redefining the world for the better. They can be involved in any aspect of society from industry, to culture, the arts, technology or the scientific community.

The NewCo Toronto Festival has already signed up five host companies that are all examples of organizations that are pushing the boundaries and helping to redefine their industries and the way we do business. They include: Google Canada, G Adventures, Wattpad, Soulpepper and Wealthsimple.

“As a company that constantly looks to push the boundaries of what is possible, it is an honour to be a HostCo because it enables us to engage individuals most excited about our business in a conversation within our office environment,” says Sam Sebastian, Managing Director, Google Canada. “We have been a NewCo host in six cities across the globe and are truly excited to make it seven by working with organizers to bring this amazing global event to Toronto.”

Toronto NewCo is actively recruiting more HostCo participants. The festival is looking for companies or organizations that are driven by innovation and who are on a mission to change the world.